Greetings Earthlings!

Time’s a-flying. Would you believe it’s been nearly two years since we started the microstory challenge at yeah write?

That’s right: the very first microstory challenge–originally called the gargleblaster–opened on March 31, 2014. It was yeah write #155, which means that in just two weeks, we’re going to have our micro-versary! Some of you have been here since the very beginning–I love that you have stuck with us for so long. Right now I’m wondering: how’s the challenge working for you? What is it you love (or hate) about microstories? What keeps you coming back? What was your favorite ultimate question?

Leave your thoughts in the comments or pop on over to the coffeehouse and write it on a napkin. Time’s ticking![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Answer the ultimate question in exactly 42 words: where did the time go?

Sometimes an event that seemed far in the future when we planned for it is happening right now. This week we’re interested in all the little things that happen in between that planning and the event–why didn’t you notice the passage of time? Maybe your child is suddenly an adult, but you were at work for his dance recitals. Maybe you are at the altar, but your spouse proposed before she was deployed. Let us know where the time in between went!

Don’t get disqualified on a technicality

COUNT YOUR WORDS. Use your eyes, not your word processor. Your post may not be eligible for voting if you go over or under 42 words. And remember, any words surrounding your microstory — explanations, references, footnotes, shout-outs, etc. — will be counted against your 42-word limit. (The only exception is photo credits.)

PROOFREAD. Nothing is easier, and nothing will get you bumped from the voting grid faster than typos, spelling or punctuation mistakes, or grammatical errors. You’ve only got 42 words; mistakes stick out.

ANSWER THE QUESTION. We try to give you some basic guidelines with every question; pay attention to what we’re looking for. Keep in mind that your post has to make sense if your reader doesn’t know the question. Don’t use the question as your title or anywhere else in your piece.

Need a second set of eyes? Find yourself a writing partner over in the yeah writecoffeehouse.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The top 42 entries will be open for voting on Thursday

You may enter only one gargleblaster microstory. Submissions are moderated. All entries will show up on our submissions grid, and up to 42 entries will be moved to the voting grid, which opens on Thursday. Everybody: read, comment, vote! Participation is the key to making this community work.

If you don’t make the voting grid, don’t despair – you’ll get a detailed love letter from our wonderful submissions editor, Rowan G., letting you know what needed improvement. Email us or head over to our pages on Facebook and Twitter with any questions.

Winners will be announced on Friday

Look for Friday’s combined winners’ post to see the crowd favorites and editors’ picks from across all of our challenge grids.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Submit to the yeah write microstory challenge

The yeah write weekly writing challenge is now open for microstories. You can check out the submission guidelines and join us with your 42-word microstory using the button below.